About Michael J. Diver

Diver has built a national practice advising public companies, financial services firms and individuals in securities litigation and regulatory investigations. In these high-stakes matters, Michael's past experience as a branch chief in the Enforcement Division of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) gives him valuable perspective, and he has a long track record of achieving very favorable results for his clients.

As an Enforcement Division branch chief, Michael managed a team of SEC enforcement attorneys in investigating and prosecuting securities law violations, including matters involving complex financial fraud, market manipulation, insider trading and violations of broker-dealer, investment adviser and investment company regulations.

Applying his government experience in private practice, Michael represents public companies, financial institutions and their individual officers and directors in regulatory matters and civil litigation. With over 20 years of experience, Michael is adept at devising effective defense strategies to address legal risks across a broad spectrum of circumstances. He is often called upon to defend clients that are facing concurrent private actions and regulatory investigations, and to defend against claims involving complex legal or compliance issues.

In addition to handling investigations and litigation, he also regularly advises clients in connection with corporate governance matters, shareholder claims, financial restatements, internal investigations and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) and stock exchange inquiries.

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Practice Focus

  • Securities litigation and enforcement
  • Financial services litigation
  • White-collar investigations and compliance
  • Insider trading
  • Broker-dealer regulation
  • Asset management
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

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Publications

Presentations and Events

Practices
Industries
Education
  • Lewis & Clark Law School, JD
  • Bucknell University, BA
Bar Admissions
  • Illinois
  • New York
Court Admissions
  • US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Community Involvements
  • American Bar Association
  • Association of Securities Exchange and Commission Alumni
  • The Chicago Bar Association
Recognitions
  • Super Lawyers
    Illinois, 2017–2019
  • The Legal 500 United States
    Next Generation Lawyer, 2019
    Recommended Attorney, 2015–2017
  • Chambers USA
    Leading Individual, 2018–2019
  • BTI Client Service All-Star
    2014